Shloka 17
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
भीष्म उवाच श्र॒त्वा श्येनस्य तद् वाक््यं राजर्षिविस्मयं गत: । सम्भाव्य चैनं तद्वाक्यं तदर्थी प्रत्यमभाषत
bhīṣma uvāca śrutvā śyenasy tad vākyam rājarṣi-vismayaṁ gataḥ | sambhāvya cainaṁ tad-vākyaṁ tad-arthī pratyamabhāṣata ||
Sabi ni Bhishma: Nang marinig ang mga salita ng lawin, ang maharlikang rishi ay labis na namangha. Pinapurihan at pinarangalan niya ang pahayag nito, at sa hangaring matiyak ang hinihingi—ang pag-iingat sa kalapati—siya’y sumagot nang nararapat, upang maihanda ang isang pasyang ayon sa dharma, na dapat magtimbang sa habag at katarungan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler committed to dharma must respond thoughtfully even to an opponent’s reasonable claim: he should acknowledge valid arguments, yet remain steadfast in protecting the vulnerable, seeking a just solution rather than acting from impulse.
The hawk presents its claim; the king-sage, amazed by the hawk’s reasoning, praises it and then replies with the intention of safeguarding the dove—moving the dialogue toward a test of royal righteousness and ethical balance.